Longford plant decision likely to be appealed

An anti-mining group says a $1billion plant near Sale, in eastern Victoria, should not be allowed to go ahead and they plan to appeal against the decision.

The Wellington Shire Council has given planning approval to a new gas conditioning plant at Longford, which will be built alongside the existing Esso oil and gas plant.

The company says the project will create 250 jobs during the construction phase.

Environment groups objected to the proposal because the plant will generate an extra 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

However the council's John Websdale says it is consistent with planning policies.

"We can only assess the application within the planning controls," he said.

There have been problems with a rotten egg odour and thick smoke over the existing plant and Tracey Anton, of the group Community Over Mining, says the new plant should not go ahead until those problems are addressed.

"They're all open-ended. They haven't been signed off and given any resolution to," she said.

She says the group will take the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).